Charles Bolden: 'Science is for everyone'

Women in science have been sharing stories of sexual harassment and mistreatment within the astronomy community using hashtag #astroSH on Twitter. Friday evening, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden condemned harassment in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community.

Stories on social media using #AstroSH -- for astronomy sexual harassment -- range from sexist remarks to sexual abuse.

In a letter sent to institutions receiving NASA grants, Bolden urgedall NASA grantees to "examine their current policies and procedures for addressing allegations of misconduct such as harassment."

From NASA Administrator Bolden’s statement:

Bill Ingalls, Associated Press

In this July 29, 2009 photo released by NASA, a portrait of Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration is seen, in Washington, DC.

In this July 29, 2009 photo released by NASA, a portrait of Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration is seen, in Washington, DC.

(Bill Ingalls, Associated Press)

Let me be perfectly clear: NASA does not tolerate sexual harassment, and nor should any organization seriously committed to workplace equality, diversity and inclusion. Science is for everyone and any behavior that demeans or discourages people from fully participating is unacceptable.

The letter was a reminder to institutions that “any behavior that demeans or discourages people from fully participating is unacceptable.”

Deputy Administrator Dava Newman also issued a statement following Bolden's letter. Newman has been a leading example for women in the space industry.

“It matters to us intrinsically that we reach for new heights not only in aeronautics and space, but also in how we treat one another, advance the cause of equal opportunity,” said Newman.

In October, the issues of workplace harassment in STEM came to a head after successful astrophysicist Geoff Marcy, known for his discoveries of exoplanets, resigned from University of California, Berkeley after a campus investigation found Marcy guilty of sexual harassing students.

Since Marcy's departure more astronomy institutions have made efforts to address workplace harassment.

At the January American Astronomical Society meeting in Kissimmee a session was held to address sexual harassment and what can be done to stop it. Large signs around the conference read "if it's unwelcome, it's harassment."

For women in astronomy the letter from NASA's highest ranking official is a good indication their voices have been heard.